Search

Background: Physical activity (PA) can promote mental health, but the mechanisms underpinning this association are not well-established. This study examined if perceptions of three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) mediate the association between number of years participating in PA and mental health in adolescence. Methods: Participants included 937 children (55% female) age 10–11 at inception of the longitudinal MATCH study, who provided data every 4 months over 6 years. Mediation analyses were used to assess the natural direct effect of number of years of PA participation (cycles 1–15) during late childhood and adolescence on later mental health (cycle 16), measured with the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF), and the natural indirect effect through each of self-perceived autonomy, competence and relatedness, and self-report MVPA (cycle 15). Results: In single mediator models, indirect effects of autonomy, competence, relatedness and self-report MVPA were statistically significant. In joint mediation models (each of three models including one basic psychological need and MVPA), autonomy, competence and relatedness mediated 71, 27, and 51% of the association respectively; MVPA mediated 27–31% of the association. In the mediation model including all four mediators, relatedness mediated the largest proportion of the association, followed by autonomy and MVPA. Conclusion: Results support developing strategies to encourage adolescents to engage and remain involved in PA. This could foster perceptions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness as well as MVPA, which in turn may enhance mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Little is known about age-related differences in risk factors for cigarette smoking initiation. We identified predictors of initiation in early, middle, and late adolescence from among sociodemographic factors, indicators of smoking in the social environment, psychological characteristics, lifestyle indicators, and perceived need for cigarettes. Methods Data were drawn from a longitudinal study of 1,801 children recruited at age 10–11 years from 29 elementary schools in Montreal, Canada. Multivariable logistic regression within a generalized estimating equations framework was used to identify predictors among never smokers across three 2-year windows: age 11–13 years (n = 1,221); age 13–15 years (n = 737); and age 15–17 years (n = 690). Results Among the 18 risk factors investigated, two differed across age. Friends' smoking, a strong risk factor in early adolescence (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 5.78 [3.90–8.58]), lost potency in late adolescence (1.83 [1.31–2.57]). Depressive symptoms, a risk factor in early and middle adolescence (1.60 [1.26–2.02] and 1.92 [1.45–2.54], respectively), were inversely associated in late adolescence (.76 [.58–1.00]). Sex, TV viewing, and weight-related goals were not associated with initiation at any age. All other factors were significant in two or three age groups. Conclusions Most risk factors for smoking initiation were stable across age. Tobacco control interventions may be robust for risk factors across age groups and may not need adjustment. At all ages, interventions should focus on eliminating smoking in the social environment and on reducing the availability of tobacco products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Psychiatry is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Applied Physiology, Nutrition & Metabolism is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Identifying food patterns related to obesity can provide information for health promotion in nutrition. Food patterns and their relation with obesity among Canadian children have not been reported to date. Our aim was to identify and describe food patterns associated with obesity in children at risk of overweight. Caucasian children ( n = 630) with at least 1 obese biological parent recruited into the Quebec Adiposity and Lifestyle Investigation in Youth (QUALITY) cohort were studied in cross-sectional analyses. Measures of adiposity (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body fat mass percentage measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), screen time, physical activity (accelerometer over 7 days), and dietary intake (three 24-h food recalls) were collected. Factor analysis was used to identify food patterns. The relationships between food patterns and overweight were investigated in logistic and multiple linear regression models. Three food patterns were retained for analysis: traditional food (red meats, main dishes-soups, high-fat dairy products, tomato products, dressings, etc.); healthy food (low-fat dairy products, whole grains, legumes-nuts-seeds, fruits, vegetables); and fast food (sugar-sweetened beverages, fried potatoes, fried chicken, hamburgers-hot dogs-pizza, salty snacks). Higher scores on the fast food pattern were associated with overweight (BMI ≥ 85th percentile), and other measures of adiposity (BMI, waist circumference, body fat mass percentage) after adjustment for age, sex, physical activity, screen time, sleep time, family income, and mother's obesity ( p < 0.05). Controlling for energy intake did not change these relationships. Our results provide further evidence of a link between fast food intake and obesity in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Childhood and adolescence are critical periods for bone growth. The independent association between lean and fat mass and indicators of bone health in children is not yet known. We aim to examine the association between each of lean and fat mass and indicators of bone health in 8- to 10-year-old prepubertal Caucasian children. Methods: We present a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the QUebec Adipose and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth (QUALITY) cohort which study the natural history of obesity. Study participants (n = 483) included prepubertal children aged 8-10 years and their biological parents. Whole-body bone mineral content (BMC, g), bone area (cm2), bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2), lean mass (kg), and fat mass (kg) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Data analyses include multiple linear regressions adjusted for potential confounding variables. Results: A 1-kg increase in lean mass was associated with 28.42 g, 19.88 cm2, and 0.007 g/cm2 increase in whole-body BMC, bone area and BMD respectively. A 1-kg increase in fat mass was associated with 9.32 g, 8.02 cm2, and 0.002 g/cm2 increase in whole-body BMC, bone area and BMD, respectively. Conclusion: Increasing lean mass in children may help optimize bone acquisition and prevent future osteoporosis. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Night eating syndrome (NES) is a delayed pattern of energy intake. It is unknown if symptoms associated with this syndrome are accompanied by a delayed pattern of physical activity. This study examines the relationship between physical activity patterns and delayed eating behaviors in children. Children from the QUALITY cohort (n = 269, 45% female, aged 8-11 y) completed the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), which measures NES symptoms on a continuous scale and identifies single NES symptoms. Daily accelerometer data were transformed into mean counts per wear-time minute for each hour of the day. Children with high NEQ scores had higher levels of daily (p < 0.001) and evening physical activity (p = 0.05) and reached 75% of their total daily physical activity 20 minutes later than children with low NEQ scores (p < 0.05). Excessive evening snacking and a strong urge to eat in the evening or at night were the symptoms most related to these physical activity patterns. Children with delayed eating behaviors had higher levels of physical activity in the late morning and evening and a delayed physical activity pattern compared to children with no or fewer symptoms. Future research is needed to determine if physical activity plays a role in the onset or maintenance of night eating. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses research investigating interest of an individualized score among children using a maximal cycling test, called the OMNI cycle scale. Researchers studied the differences between perceived exertion and actual effort, measured by peak oxygen consumption, at various stages of the test to determine whether perceived exertion and actual effort differed according to body mass status or physical activity level. The study's experimental design and methodology, a discussion of the results, and researchers' conclusions regarding the relationship between the effort performed, the OMNI cycle scale score, body mass status, and physical activity level are presented.

Objective: To measure the construct validity of the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ) in children against a parent report of child night eating syndrome (NES) symptoms (NEQ report) and a 3-day dietary recall. Method: NEQ of 304 children from the QUALITY (QUébec Adipose and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth) cohort were compared to a parent report and 3-day dietary recall. Results: Child NEQ scores were related to the parent NEQ report (ρ = 0.30 p < 0.0001) yet there were inconsistencies between responses concerning sleep troubles. Total child NEQ scores, but not parent NEQ report scores, were associated with dietary manifestations of NES such as increased evening (ρ = 0.20, p < .001) and reduced morning intake (ρ= −0.12, p < .05). Discussion: The NEQ score is related to eating patterns of NES in children and is more informative than a parent report, specifically when used in conjunction with dietary recall. © 2012 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2012;45:861-865) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The impact of the obesity epidemic on cardiovascular health in young people is of increasing concern. However, data on secular trends in CVD indicators are outdated and mixed. Methods: This study compared lipid profiles and insulin of 9-10 year olds in 2008 ( n = 605) and 1999 ( n = 779). Data were drawn from two population-based samples of youth: the 1999 Québec Child and Adolescent Health and Social Survey and the 2008 Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. Results: Mean body mass index (BMI) Z-scores were higher in 2008 than in 1999 in both boys (0.37 vs 0.12, p = 0.004) and girls (0.32 vs 0.05, p = 0.0004). After adjusting for maturity stage, height, BMI Z-score, age and household income, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 0.12 mmol/L ( p < 0.05) and 0.10 mmol/L ( p < 0.05) higher in 2008 than 1999 in boys and girls, respectively. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and insulin were not significantly different between 2008 and 1999. Conclusions: Despite higher BMI Z-scores in 2008, differences in cardiometabolic indicators between 1999 and 2008 were small and may not be clinically meaningful. Surveillance to closely monitor trends in cardiometabolic indicators in Canadian youth is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We sought to determine if the rate of increase in body mass index (BMI) differs between first generation immigrant children (child and both parents born outside Canada); second generation immigrant children (child born in Canada with at least one parent born outside Canada); and native-born children (child and both parents born in Canada), and if the rate of increase varies across ethnic groups. Methods: Data were available from the evaluation of a 5-year heart health promotion program targeted to elementary school children from 24 schools in multi-ethnic, disadvantaged, inner-city neighborhoods in Montreal, Canada. Participants were 6392 children aged 9–12 years born in and outside of Canada. Height and weight were measured annually according to a standardized protocol. BMI increases with age were examined using individual growth models stratified by immigrant status grouping (first generation immigrant, second generation immigrant, native-born). Results: On average, BMI increased by 0.59, 0.73, and 0.82 kg/m2 with each year of age among first generation immigrant, second generation immigrant, and native-born children, respectively. These differences held across four family origin grouping (Europe, Asia, Central/South America, and Other). Conclusion: The protective effect of immigrant status on BMI increases with age dissipated in second generation immigrant children, whose rate of increase was similar to that of native-born children. Because immigrants constitute the fastest growing segment of the Canadian population, it is important to understand the causes of the higher BMI increases with successive generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite abundant evidence about the adverse effects of secondhand smoke exposure on children's health, few reports describe barriers and facilitators encountered by parents in making their homes and vehicles smoke-free. This article describes perceptions of barriers and facilitators to making homes and vehicles smoke-free among 36 parents with a child five years of age or younger. Qualitative data were collected in interviews with parents in the context of a randomized controlled trial that tested an intervention to empower parents to make their homes and vehicles smoke-free. Themes that emerged in the analysis were congruent with an ecological conceptualization of health. The greatest barriers were intrapersonal factors, and nicotine addiction was the intrapersonal barrier identified most frequently. The most frequently reported facilitators were intrapersonal factors, such as quitting smoking. Parents reported not seeking advice from health care providers. The transition process to make homes and vehicles smoke-free is complex and individualistic; nurses may need to tailor strategies to take the specific contexts of each individual into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate whether adiposity is associated with gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) tumour necrosis factor- α (TNF- α) levels in children. We also examined whether this relationship is mediated through plasma fasting insulin. Materials and Methods: This preliminary study used cross-sectional data from the baseline-visit of the Quebec Adipose and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth cohort, which is an ongoing longitudinal study investigating the natural history of obesity in Quebec children. Study participants (76 girls and 102 boys) include children aged 8–10 years and their families, living in the Montreal and Quebec City areas. TNF- α level was measured in pooled samples ( N=4) for each child by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Height and weight were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight/height2 (kg/m2). Sex/age-specific BMI was categorized into normal (<85th percentile), overweight (85th–95th percentile) and obese (⩾95th percentile) defined by the 2000 US-CDC growth charts. Insulin resistance was measured using fasting plasma insulin in children. Data analysis involved descriptive and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: Our results suggest that obesity in boys was associated with a 37% increase of GCF-TNF- α level. However, when accounting for insulin resistance this association was reduced and disappeared while the model's goodness of fit improved. Conclusions: These findings provide support for the link between adiposity in children and GCF-TNF- α level, which appears to be mediated by insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: To extend previous observations that secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) is associated with nicotine markers in children, we investigated if SHS exposure is associated with self-reports of nicotine dependence (ND) symptoms among young never-smokers. Method: Data on number of persons who smoke inside the home, number of days exposed to SHS in a motor vehicle in the past week, number of parents, siblings, and friends who smoke, and ND symptoms, were collected from 10–12 year-old students in self-report questionnaires. The association between SHS and ND symptoms among young never-smokers was assessed in logistic regression models. Results: Sixty-nine of 1488 never-smokers (5%) reported one or more ND symptom. After controlling for sibling and peer smoking, and susceptibility to initiating smoking, exposure to SHS in a motor vehicle was independently associated with ND symptoms (OR, 95% CI=1.2, 1.0–1.4). The OR for number of persons who smoke inside the home was 1.1 (0.9–1.4). Conclusion: SHS exposure in motor vehicles may be associated with ND symptoms among young never-smokers. If replicated, this finding provides support for interventions that promote non-smoking in motor vehicles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To understand factors influencing fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption in children, the authors studied the association between F&V consumption in mothers and children in a sample of 1,106 boys and girls in Grades 4-6 in 24 elementary schools in low-income, multiethnic neighborhoods in Montreal, Canada. Approximately 10% of girls and 19% of boys reported not having eaten any vegetables in the week prior to questionnaire administration; 53% of girls and 63% of boys did not consume whole fruits daily. Each unit increase in F&V consumption in mothers was associated with a 10% to 20% increase in F&V consumption in children. Interventions to improve F&V consumption should aim to improve awareness among parents of the importance of fruits and vegetables and of the impact of their own behavior on their children's F&V consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that describes the opportunities for student physical activity (PA) in elementary schools in the U.S. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors associated with schools offering more PA opportunities. In this study, questionnaires were completed by school principals and physical education teachers in 277 elementary schools in metropolitan Montreal. Study shows that addressing barriers related to resources and access to sports facilities may help lessen disparities between schools in opportunities for students to engage in PA.

The “healthy immigrant effect” may apply to lifestyle-related behaviors in immigrant children. In a cross-sectional study of 1,959 children aged 9–12 years, the number of years lived in Canada was related to an increased risk of smoking among immigrant children. Interventions may be needed for immigrant children to prevent the adoption of unhealthy behaviors prevalent in their new host environments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: We investigated whether established risk factors for initiating cigarette smoking during adolescence (parents, siblings, friends smoke; home smoking rules, smokers at home, exposure to smoking in cars, academic performance, susceptibility to smoking, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, school connectedness, use of other tobacco products) are associated with initiation in preadolescents, and whether the effects of these factors differ by gender.Methods: In spring 2005, baseline data were collected in self-report questionnaires from 1801 5th grade students including 1553 never-smokers (mean age=10.7years), in the longitudinal AdoQuest I Study in Montréal, Canada. Follow-up data were collected in the fall and spring of 6th grade (2005-2006). Poisson regression analyses with robust variance estimated the effects of each risk factor on initiation and additive interactions with gender were computed to assess the excess risk of each risk factor in girls compared to boys.Results: 101 of 1399 participants in the analytic sample (6.7% of boys; 7.7% of girls) initiated smoking during follow-up. After adjustment for age, gender and maternal education, all risk factors except academic performance and school connectedness were statistically significantly associated with initiation. Paternal and sibling smoking were associated with initiation in girls only, and girls with lower self-esteem had a significant excess risk of initiating smoking in 6th grade.Conclusions: Risk factors for smoking initiation in preadolescents mirror those in adolescents; their effects do not differ markedly by gender. Preventive programs targeting children should focus on reducing smoking in the social environment and the dangers of poly-tobacco use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Less than 15% of children and adolescents participate regularly in physical activity (PA) and, with ever-increasing obesity, strategies to improve PA levels in youth are urgently needed. Exergaming offers a PA alternative that may be especially attractive in our increasingly technophilic society. However, there are no observational studies of exergaming in population-based samples of adolescents. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential sociodemographic, lifestyle, psychosocial, weight-related, and mental health correlates of exergaming as well as describe the type, timing, and intensity of exergaming in a population-based sample of adolescents. METHODS: Data on exergame use and potential sociodemographic, lifestyle, psychosocial, weight-related, and mental health correlates of exergaming were collected in mailed self-report questionnaires completed by 1241 grade 10 and 11 students from the Montreal area with a mean age of 16.8 years (SD = 0.05 years; 43% male) participating in the AdoQuest study. The independent correlates of exergaming were identified in multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Nearly one-quarter (24%) of participants reported exergaming. Exergamers played 2 days per week on average, for ~50 minutes each bout; 73% of exergamers played at a moderate or vigorous intensity. Exergamers were more likely than nonexergamers to be girls, to play nonactive video games, to watch ≥2 hours of television per day, to be stressed about weight, and to be nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS: Many adolescents exergame at intensity levels that could help them achieve current moderate-to-vigorous PA recommendations. Interventions that encourage exergaming may increase PA and decrease sedentary behavior in select youth subgroups, notably in girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]